The out-of-form Lazio extended their uninspiring run, as they suffered their heaviest defeat to Bologna since 1957/58.
Lazio Starting Lineup
Marco Baroni had entire squad to choose from aside from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. He decided to unleash a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Matias Vecino acting as an attacking midfielder behind Boulaye Dia.
Gustav Isaksen and Mattia Zaccagni started on the wings, while Matteo Guendouzi and Nicolo Rovella formed the double pivot, with Manuel Lazzari, Mario Gila, Alessio Romagnoli and Adam Marusic forming the backline in front of Ivan Provedel.
Jens Odgaard Kickstarts the Show
After an unuventful 15 minutes, the Rossoblu stunned the visitors with the opener. After switching the play to the left, Juan Miranda was offered with enough time and space to send a cross towards goal-mouth. Perhaps thinking it was Provedel’s ball, Gila didn’t take any action, thus allowing Jens Odgaard to slip behind him and score a fabulous volley from close range.
While the Biancocelesti fans were hoping for an improved display in the second period, it was quite the opposite, with Baroni’s men suffering a shocking collapse.
Riccardo Orsolini Makes it Two
Riccardo Orsolini, who came close in the first half, eventually got his goal after being fed with a delightful through ball from Dan Ndoye. The Italian winger received the ball between the two Lazio centre-backs before beating Provedel with a clever chip.
Back-to-Back Blows
Only a few seconds after the restart, Guendouzi’s complacent pass gifted possession back to the Emilians who surged forward with numbers and found another crack in the backline. This time, it was Ndoye’s turn to score after being assisted by Lewis Ferguson. The Swiss winger’s shot found its way between the crowds before landing in Provedel’s far corner.
This 5-0 joke was the heaviest defeat Lazio have suffered against Bologna since the 1957-58 season (also a 5-0 loss). #BolognaLazio pic.twitter.com/Gq9BXMZaDm
— Steven Moore (@S_K_MOORE) March 16, 2025
Before being hauled off the pitch, Zaccagni produced Lazio’s solitary chance of the match, but was denied by the post. On the contrary, Bologna kept pushing for more, and were rewarded for their efforts.
Another Costly Howler from Mario Gila
Gila’s horror show at the back continued as he was dispossessed by Tommaso Pobega who was adamant to make up for his costly blunder in the return fixture. The former Milan midfielder drove the ball to the box before feeding Santiago Castro who beat a reluctant Romagnoli before sliding it past the hapeless Provedel from close range.
Giovanni Fabbian Round Off Bologna Party
Sadly for Lazio, their humiliation wasn’t over yet, as the Emilians had one more in store. A neat passage of play on the left flank allowed Miranda to pick up Giovanni Fabbian for his second assist of the day. The former Inter Milan midfielder did well to find the back of the net with a solid header.
Champions League Blow
In one fell swoop, Bologna soared to fourth place in the standings (at least temporarily), while Lazio’s Champions League hopes were dealt a major blow as they slipped to sixth place, no to mention the agonizing effect this result will leave on the players’ psych.
Bologna Lazio 5-0: result and scoresheet
Goals : 16′ Odgaard (B), 48′ Orsolini (B), 49′ Ndoye (B), 74′ Castro (B), 84′ Fabbian (B).
Bologna (4-2-3-1) : Skorupski; Calabria, Beukema, Lucumí, Miranda; Freuler (59′ Pobega), Ferguson; Orsolini (73′ Cambiaghi), Odgaard (59′ Fabbian), Ndoye (78′ Dominguez); Castro (78′ Dallinga).
Lazio (4-2-3-1) : Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic; Guendouzi (78′ Belahyane), Rovella; Isaksen (46′ Pedro), Vecino (83′ Ibrahimovic), Zaccagni (62′ Tchaouna); Dia (62′ Noslin).
Referee : Colombo from Como
Yellow cards : 33′ Freuler (B), 44′ Gila (L), 58′ Vecino (L), 76′ Castro (B), 91′ Romagnoli (L).
Mediocre coach, there is a reason why we are his first’big’ team. What’s the point of signing those players if you are not going to use them?! Another game where we needed to rotate more and give some guys a rest because they looked super sluggish.
The team is physically and mentally exhausted. A top 6 finish will be very tight, even if Baroni gets his team in great shape.
Squad rotation is terrible, how is Belahyane and ibrahimovic not playing while Guendouzi and the likes play week in week out. A good manager finds the best formation that suits his Boyz and he perfects it. Trust me, this 4-2-3-1 is no longer working.. he should use this break to rethink of twiking the formation or the starting line up as not to ware out the boiz
How can you rotate a thin squad? Guendouzi and Rovella are basically irreplaceable. Ibrahimović wasn’t bought at Baroni’s request, but more to appease the fanbase. If he were ready, he’d get the playing time. Add injuries and/or suspensions to the mix and Baroni has had to tweak and re-tweak the starting 11 for the last 2 months. Lastly, playing with Noslin, or worse yet, Tchaouna up front is like playing with 10 men. Taty’anabsence is felt, but he’s clearly off form. The result and dropped points suck, but the break is very welcome. Let’s hope everyone comes back injury free.